Mayweather, Pacquiao announce rematch on Sept. 19 at Sphere in Las Vegas on Netflix
· Yahoo Sports
It’s official: The rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao is on!
The two boxing icons will meet in a professional rematch on Sept. 19 at Sphere in Las Vegas and will be streamed live globally on Netflix.
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The rematch follows the 2015 “Fight of the Century,” an event that remains the richest in boxing history. Their first meeting shattered every standing benchmark in both boxing and combat sports in general, generating a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys and setting a world-record live gate of $72 million at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Though the fight did record numbers, it failed to live up to the hype. Pacquiao came into the ring with an injured shoulder and Mayweather took no chances while outboxing his rival for a unanimous decision victory.
But now, 11 years later, the fighters have a second chance to put on a better show.
“Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history,” Pacquiao said in a press release. “The fans have waited long enough—they deserve this rematch, and it will be even bigger now that it will be streamed live globally on Netflix. I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him.”
Mayweather’s response was direct and to the point.
"I already fought and beat Manny once. This time will be the same result,” Mayweather said.
The announcement comes just days after Mayweather announced he would be coming out of retirement following a spring exhibition with Mike Tyson, but provided no further details other than saying he had signed a multi-fight partnership with CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS.
Mayweather-Pacquiao II marks the first time that Sphere will host a boxing card, as well as the first time that both fighters will be fighting on Netflix.
“Earlier in my career, I spent weeks in Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao's training camps in Las Vegas and the Philippines,” said Gabe Spitzer, Vice President of Sports at Netflix. “It was undeniable that they were the two hardest workers in boxing, and their wins and accolades were a product of that. Bringing this rematch to Netflix is a massive ‘full-circle’ moment. We’re thrilled to combine their storied rivalry with the immersive technology of Sphere to deliver a landmark sporting event to our members worldwide.”
The Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch will certainly challenge the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight for the most streamed sporting event in history. Paul and Tyson drew 108 live global viewers.
Full details regarding the undercard and ticket availability for this event will be announced in the coming weeks.